Just got back

[tranman]

from a month long vacation, where I packed the whole family (including 2 kids under 5) in the car and set off across this great country of ours (USA), visiting relatives along the way. In 32 days we drove 6200 miles, visiting 17 states, from the Rocky Mountains through the Midwest, Northeast, and back again. What a sight! It took me quite a while to build up enough vacation leave to do something like this, but I highly recommend it. This is the second time that I've made the trip in the last five years, and I see new things every time. Here are some things that I've noticed:

And please, no offense is intended:

1. I love the Midwest. Even though I'm not from there, they have some of the friendliest, well-adjusted, comfortable people we encountered anywhere.

2. Towns and cities that we vistied that I wouldn't mind living in (I think): Wichita, Kansas; Des Moines, Iowa; Meredith, New Hampshire; and Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

3. I've been away from the East Coast for a while, and from a distance the self-centeredness, go-go-go attitude really shows. I'm from CT originally, but man, someone needs to tell those people to skip the latte and back off on the gas pedal every once in a while. Love going back there, though.

4. Lake region / White mountains of New Hampshire: If you've never been there-go. And bring the kids.

5. Of all the 6200 miles that I drove, the hardest were in Chicago and its northern suburbs. Too many cars on too few farm roads designed to hold a hundreth of the volume that they get every day. Yikes! You don't want to risk a fender-bender either, because usually that fender is attached to a BMW or Mercedes that costs as much as my house.

6. This was my 3rd visit to Milwaukee. (Honorary cheesehead?) Milwaukee is one city who has really gotten their Downtown s*** together. Lots of people walking around, great parks on the lake, beautiful architecture. Other cities should be paying attention.

Well anyway, just wanted to share some experiences with you, and I urge you to try it yourself if you get the chance.

Happy to be home,

tranman

[DrZaius]

Welcome back tranman! Sounds like a great trip, glad you had fun. I'd like to take a tour of the states like that one day.

[Tuf]

Sounds like a wonderful vacation. After having lived on both coasts it would be hard to pry me out of Oklahoma. I agree Milwaukee is one the most beautiful cities in the world, and they speak English! Thanks

Tuf

[Sauron]

Jeez, you visited Cow Hampsha? (glcs words not mine!) Sounds like a great trip. Yeah the White Mountains are neat aren't they? And Dok here thinks those midwest ppl are bad when it comes to driving. You get up here...we got ppl up here who get pissed, yell at each other at red lights or even get out and beat the guy they are pissed at. Problem is, no one has really good cars up here tho And no one likes to be passed either Otherwise its really nice, except right now. Rainy type ...

[Blakhart]

Speak english... hee heeeee!




pad pad

[M. A. Dockter]

If you've ever noticed folks, we do speak english here in Wisconsin. Almost all national news-casters have the "midwest" accent (which doesn't exsist by the way), as to most of those recorded phone messages.

The Midwest is an alright place, but I'd prefer to move elsewhere; possibly Montana or Canada, the wilderness thing gets to me every time.

[BFD Deadeye]

Sure, Dok. C'mon up, I'll show ya around.

[homer15]

welcome back tranman. sounds like you had a good time.

[Mr N8]

Being from the Milwaukee area, I must say its nice to hear a good word about my hometown! Come back anytime. Good to hear that you were treated well, too! Welcome back to PCMEch

nate